sitting hen killed, can I try to hatch the eggs?

[msshepherdess]

I've been looking for the hen that I was suspicious was laying somewhere for several days. Finally found her today and something had killed her (probably a possum). I don't know how long she's been dead, possibly a couple of days. There were about 8 eggs next to her. If I make an incubator, what are the chances the eggs are still "hatchable"?

 

[elliemay0305]

hhuuummm.......if she hadnt been nestingont hem they might. candle them and see what the inside looks like. im surprised if something killed her it didnt get the eggs. sure it wasnt a loose dog?

 

[msshepherdess]

when I candle them, what am I looking for specifically?

 

[Pumpkinpup]

If you see any veining or if they are real dark and you can't see much except for the air cell then they had started the incubation process and it's a lost cause. If you don't see veining and you can see through the egg, chances are good you can hatch them.

 

[countrybum]

Here is a link that may help you.

If the eggs are only a couple days old, they may not show anything yet.

If you have an incubator, I would stick them in there for awhile and see what happens. I have about 30 in my incubator that my hens were sitting on and they are doing fine.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-candling-eggs.html

 

[msshepherdess]

I REALLY want to try this. She was a wild game hen that just flew into our yard one day several years ago. She's the only hen I ever had that wanted to sit and has hatched out several times, crossed with our naked neck rooster!!! He died and now someone gave us a Japanese silkie rooster. Can you imagine how cute they'd be?
Anyway, I'll have to wait till morning to get an incubator. What's the best way to keep them till then?

 

[countrybum]

I would wrap them in a towel and sit them on a heating pad (on low).